He stressed that, if elected, his administration would commit to devolving more power to the states, as well as reshape the country to meet the clamor for federalism.
He said that the people of the south-east had been clamoring for a restructuring that would allow them more powers to deal with their local affairs, and he assured the people that the restructuring would be a major policy of his administration if he were elected president of Nigeria.
He alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) reneged on its promise to restructure the country and urged the people of the state to reject the party in the presidential and National Assembly elections in February.
The former vice president, who was greeted by a gigantic crowd at the Pa Oruta Ngele Municipality Stadium in Abakaliki, thanked the people for their support of the PDP since its inception in 1999.
He said: “I am committed to the devolution and restructuring of power; the Southeast has been yearning and has been advocating for the restructuring of this country because they want to have more powers, more resources to deal with their local affairs.
“We agree and that is why it will be a great political boost from our government if it supports us and if it allows us to become the next president.
“APC had promised the same. They did it? They abandoned that issue of restructuring, they are a very deceitful party or alliance, very deceitful.
“We are committed and we mean what we say and if you support us, we will deliver.”
He vowed to empower women and youth to take over power from the old politicians, saying youth and women would be the main drivers of his administration.
Earlier, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, the National President of the PDP, said that the party was on a rescue mission and urged the people of the state to vote en masse for the PDP in the upcoming elections.
He noted that an Atiku government would work towards full restoration of peace and security in the south-east area and urged the area not to rest in its support for the party.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta and vice-presidential candidate, were among the dignitaries who attended the rally.
